1. xmass

2. Xmas facts US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second. Hanging stockings out comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes packed with food for St Nicholas's donkeys. He would leave small gifts in return. Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe. The chances of a white Christmas are just 1 in 10 for England and Wales, and 1 in 6 for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Before turkey, the traditional Christmas meal in England was a pig's head and mustard.

3. questions Why is mas called xmas? Xmas is called xmas because X is really common and an ancient Greek abbreviation for Christ. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers. Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold. In Poland, spiders or spider webs are common Christmas trees decorations because according to legend, a spider wove a blanket for Baby Jesus. In fact, Polish people consider spiders to be symbols of goodness at Christmas.

5. recipes Oreo Truffles 8 kg of cream cheese1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (using different extracts allows for subtle flavour changes even mint extract, upped to 1 tsp) (optional) 1 lb milk chocolate 1/2 lb white chocolate directions 1 Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder. With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese). 2 Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 45 minutes. 3 Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. In double-boiler, melt milk chocolate. Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on wax- paper-lined cookie sheet. 4 In separate double boiler, melt white chocolate. Using a fork, drizzle white chocolate over balls. Let cool. 5 Store in airtight container, in refrigerator. 6 Note: you can use chocolate 'dip' and roll the truffles into various mixtures - chopped nuts, chocolate sprinkles, vari- coloured candy sprinkles, cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, coloured sugars.